Peripheral sealing gland for elongate objects passing through a surface or beyond a pipe end

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a peripheral sealing gland to form a seal, between an elongate member and a substantially flat surface. The gland has an at least in part tapered skirt or frustoconical shaped skirt through which the elongate member is to pass and defining at the upper periphery of the skirt and deformable upper seal to deform about and seal to a periphery of said elongate member. A flange depends from the lower periphery of the skirt including on its outward from the skirt presented surface, at least one endless lip to seal when brought into contact, against said substantially flat surface. A compression ring is able to bear on said flange, to be fastened to said substantially flat surface to capture the flange therebetween.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to sealing glands and in particular thoughnot solely to sealing glands for sealing the join formed between andabout an elongate member such as for example a pipe with a substantiallyflat surface, for example a wall, ceiling or floor, or another pipe thatthe pipe may pass through.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Specific requirements for clean areas for example in food handling,biologically sensitive areas, or other such areas requiring a cleanseal, requires use of a seal that can be cleaned easily, applied easilyand become functional easily yet is also consistent in its sealingengagement to both the pipe and the wall, and that is manufactured frominert and chemically resistant materials, so as to not contaminate theimmediate environment, and to withstand cleaning and the like. The samecriteria apply when sealing a pipe to a further pipe that it may passthrough. The further pipe may be an outer sleeve such as a kick pipe toprevent damage to the inner pipe. Such assemblies are often presentwhere a pipe passes through a wall, floor or ceiling and the wall flooror ceiling has an outer sleeve for the pipe to pass through.

There are numerous ways of sealing a cavity and join about pipes andsimilar elongate members to a flat surface which they may pass through.The most simple method for sealing a pipe to a wall is the applicationof sealant about the periphery of the pipe adjacent the region of thewall into or through which the pipe may pass through. Prior art methodsthat use sealants and similar are messy and time consuming and thesealant cannot be easily removed and replaced, meaning that the pipe,wall panel or similar cannot be easily removed and replaced.

Another example of these is the use of a stainless steel flange attachedto the elongate pipe or member. This is then attached to the flatsurface in a first method by standing this off the flat surface and thensealing the space with sealant. This is not an easily removable system.The second is the bolting of the flange to a further wall fitting andlocating between the two a sealing component, e.g. an “O” ring. Thismethod and the previous one do not stand up well to vibration andflexure of the pipe relative to the flat surface.

Further methods utilize boots and similar to engage both the pipe andwall. Other methods use a boot with a cut to allow it to be placed andseal an existing pipe and wall installation. Methods that have usedboots to date have not resulted in a consistently sealing boot about thepipe and against the bulk head. The solutions that currently exist witha sealable cut for sealing about an existing pipe and wall share thesame problems as the uncut ones together with the added problem that thecut does not seal consistently either. To date all resealable glandsrequire the addition of sealant to obtain an effective seal.

A number of solutions exist for sealing a pipe to a protective sleeve.However all of these require some form of additional sealant added toaffect a proper seal between the pipe and the protective sleeve.

Increasingly hygienic environments, for example food handling andpreparation premises, require high standard chemically inert materialsto be present. This is not only to preserve the hygienic environment butalso the method of cleaning such places uses highly corrosive clean inplace chemicals that attack most materials such as rubbers and steels,including 305 stainless steel. These chemicals or environments are alsooften thermally elevated increasing their reactivity. Such environmentsrequire materials that are compatible with such harsh environments.

Additionally such environments require a vibration and flexure resistantsealing and often fire retardance and resistance. Such relative movementcan occur due to impact of the pipe or surface, flow in the elongatemember, water or gas hammer or thermal expansion. The relative movementcan be both radially and axially of the elongate member.

To date no such gland exists that offers all these properties and thereis a long felt want in the industry that as yet has not been addressed.

In this specification where reference has been made to patentspecifications, other external documents, or other sources ofinformation, this is generally for the purpose of providing a contextfor discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically statedotherwise, reference to such external documents is not to be construedas an admission that such documents, or such sources of information, inany jurisdiction, are prior art, or form part of the common generalknowledge in the art.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a sealinggland to overcome the above problems with the prior art or at least toprovide the public with a choice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect of the present invention may be said to broadlyconsist in a peripheral sealing gland to form a seal, between anelongate member and a substantially flat surface having an aperture intowhich said elongate member extends said peripheral sealing glandcomprising or including,

an at least in part tapered or frustoconical shaped skirt through whichsaid elongate member is to pass and defining at the upper periphery ofthe skirt, a deformable upper seal to deform about and seal to aperiphery of said elongate member,

a flange depending from the lower periphery of said skirt including onits outward from the skirt presented surface, at least one endless lip(“endless lip seal”), to seal when brought into contact, against saidsubstantially flat surface,

a compression ring able to bear on said flange, to be fastened to saidsubstantially flat surface to capture the flange therebetween.

Preferably said compression ring includes a first plurality of aperturesfor receiving fasteners.

Preferably said seal formed is water and particulate impervious.

Preferably said flange has a second plurality of apertures at least someof which are co-axial with said first plurality.

Preferably there are at least two of said endless lip seal eachconcentric to each other.

Preferably there are four said endless lip seals.

Preferably said second plurality of apertures does not pass through saidendless lip seals.

Preferably said second plurality of apertures lies between twoconcentric endless lip seals.

Preferably said compression ring is rigid so as to apply a substantiallyconsistent pressure to said at least one endless lip against saidsurface.

Preferably said upper seal and said flange are of elastic resilientmaterial and preferably chemically inert material (for examplesilicone).

Preferably said compression ring is made from a stainless steel.

Preferably said upper seal is defined by cutting the apex of a conicalshaped skirt that preferably has marking to indicate a zone of cuttingfor particular said elongate members.

Preferably said skirt has, toward said flange, a retention flange tobear on a surface of said compression ring to retain said compressionring to said flange.

Preferably said upper seal and flange are of sufficient internaldiameter to seal over any diameter enlargement in said elongate member.

Such diameter enlargement may be affected by welding, union nuts, orsimilar known methods and also the size of the aperture in thesubstantially flat surface to be sealed.

Preferably said second plurality of apertures is each of lesser sizethan said fastener to fit there through to aid establishing of a seal.

Preferably the outer most of said plurality of endless lip seals islarger than those at the inside of it.

Preferably said skirt and said flange are integrally formed.

Preferably said sealing gland is split, from said upper seal to theexternal edge of said flange.

Preferably said sealing gland can be applied to form a seal between anin situ elongate member and a substantially flat surface by opening saidsplit and slipping the gland laterally over the elongate member andthereafter applying pressure to close the split.

Preferably there is a continuous upstand depending outwards from saidskirt each side of said resealable split.

Preferably there is an undercut or retaining groove running along eachof the external surfaces of said continuous upstand.

Preferably said compression ring is split to under engage and applysealing pressure at least along part of said resealable split on saidflange.

Preferably there is a compression clamp able to apply pressure eitherside of the remainder of said resealable opening at said undercut bycontinuous contact either side of said resealable opening.

Preferably said compression clamp comprises at least two spaced opposingclosure members, said two spaced opposing closure members joined by aplurality of connection members along their length, said plurality ofconnection members arching from one of said at least two spaced opposingclosure members to the other,

wherein in use said at least two spaced opposing closure members are incontinuous contact with external surfaces either side of said continuousupstand to apply pressure to seal said resealable split.

In a further aspect the present invention is a sealing gland to presenta first sealing surface about the periphery of an elongate member and asecond sealing surface to present a labyrinth seal to a substantiallyflat surface said first sealing surface retained to said periphery byelastic tension thereabout, and said second sealing surface retained tosaid substantially flat surface by a compression ring and a plurality offasteners there though.

Preferably said first sealing surface depends from a inner surface of askirt.

Preferably said second sealing surface depends from a flange which inturn depends from a lower portion of said skirt.

In another aspect, the present invention may be said to broadly consistin a peripheral sealing gland which in use forms a seal between anelongate member and a surface, said peripheral sealing gland comprisingor including,

a substantially conical or pyramidal upper part (whether or circular or3 or more sided polygon in cross section), the lower periphery of saidupper part defining the perimeter of a lower aperture,

a sealing flange extending outwards from the lower periphery of saidupper part,

in use, said upper part being cut across a plane to create an upperaperture in said upper part, said elongate member passing through atleast said upper aperture, the periphery of said upper aperture formingan upper seal which deforms about and seals to the outer surface of saidelongate member, said sealing flange locating against said surface toform a lower seal.

Preferably said plane is generally horizontal, so that when cut, saidupper part has the form of a conical frustum or truncated pyramid.

Preferably said sealing flange includes at least one endless lip seallocated on the lower surface of said flange which in use seals againstsaid surface,

Preferably said seal between said surface and said sealing flange iswater and particulate impervious.

Preferably there is a plurality of lip seals located on said lowersurface of said flange, positioned concentrically.

Preferably there are four of said endless lip seals.

Preferably the outermost of said plurality of endless lip seals islarger than those at the inside of it.

Preferably said sealing gland is adapted to receive a compression ringwhich in use bears on the upper surface of said sealing flange in orderto seal against said surface.

Preferably said sealing gland is of elastically resilient and chemicallyinert material (for example silicone).

Preferably said upper part is marked at intervals over the height ofsaid upper part to indicate zones across which said upper part can becut to form said upper aperture, said marks located so that when saidupper part is cut at a specific zone, said upper aperture is sized tofit a particular size of elongate member.

Preferably said upper part includes a retention flange locatedsubstantially where said upper part and said sealing flange meet, saidretention flange sized and located such that in use it bears on theupper surface of said compression ring to retain said compression ringin position on said sealing flange.

In a further aspect, the present invention may be said to broadlyconsist in a sealing gland assembly comprising or including;

a sealing gland according to any one of the preceding statements,

a compression ring which in use bears on the upper surface of saidsealing flange in order to aid sealing of said flange-against saidsurface.

Preferably said compression ring includes a plurality of compressionapertures, spaced around said compression ring, which are adapted toreceive fasteners that engage with said surface such that in use saidring bears on said upper surface of said sealing flange.

Preferably said compression ring is sufficiently rigid so as to notdeform in use.

Preferably said compression ring is made from a stainless steel.

Preferably said sealing flange includes a plurality of flange aperturespositioned so that in use they co-locate with said plurality ofcompression apertures on said compression ring.

Preferably said second plurality of apertures does not pass through saidendless lip seals.

Preferably said second plurality of apertures lies between twoconcentric endless lip seals.

Preferably said flange apertures are each of lesser size than saidcompression apertures, to in use aid said sealing when said fastenerspass though said flange apertures.

Preferably said upper part and said flange are of sufficient internaldiameter that any diameter enlargement in said elongate member will notbreak said upper seal.

Such diameter enlargement may be affected by welding, union nuts, orsimilar known methods.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in a seal in situformed between an elongate member and a substantially flat surface by aperipheral sealing gland, said peripheral sealing gland comprising orincluding,

an at least in part frustoconical shaped skirt through which saidelongate member is to pass and defining at the upper periphery of saidskirt a deformable upper seal to deform about and seal to a periphery ofsaid elongate member,

a flange depending from the lower periphery of said skirt including onits outward from the skirt-presented surface, at least one endless lip(“endless lip seal”), to seal when brought into contact, against saidsubstantially flat surface,

a compression ring able to bear on said flange by fasteners to engagewith said substantially flat surface to capture said flangetherebetween.

Preferably said peripheral sealing gland is unitary and is located aboutsaid elongate member prior to sealing against said substantially flatsurface.

Alternatively said peripheral sealing gland is located about saidelongate member and substantially flat surface in situ via a resealablesplit running from said upper seal to an external surface of saidflange.

In yet a further aspect the invention consist in peripheral sealinggland as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In yet a further aspect still the invention consists in a method ofproviding a sealing gland as herein described with reference to theaccompany drawings.

In yet a further aspect the present invention consists in situ a pipeand a wall sealed by a peripheral sealing gland as herein described withreference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

In a further aspect, the present invention may be said to broadlyconsist in a sealing gland which in use forms a first seal between theouter surface of a first elongate member and said sealing gland, and asecond seal between the outer surface of a second elongate member andsaid sealing gland, said sealing gland comprising or including,

a hollow conical or pyramidal upper section (whether or circular or 3 ormore sided polygon in cross section),

a hollow tubular lower section (whether circular or of other crosssection), extending from the base of said upper section, the free end ofsaid lower section including a lower aperture,

in use, said upper part being cut across a plane to create an upperaperture, said first elongate member in use passing through said upperaperture, the periphery of said upper aperture forming an upper sealwhich deforms about, and seals to, the outer surface of said firstelongate member, and

one end of said second elongate member in use passing into said loweraperture, at least part of said lower section deforming about andsealing to the outer surface of said second elongate member.

Preferably said plane is generally horizontal, such that after said cut,said upper part has the form of a conical frustum or truncated pyramid.

Preferably said sealing gland is adapted to receive a tensile band whichin use bears on the outer surface of said lower section in order to sealagainst said outer surface of said second elongate member.

Preferably said lower section includes at least one endless lip seallocated on the inner surface of said lower section which in use sealsagainst said outer surface of said second elongate member.

Preferably said upper section includes cut marks at intervals over theheight of said upper section.

Preferably said first elongate member is of lesser diameter than saidsecond elongate member.

Preferably said seal between said surface and said sealing flange iswater and particulate impervious.

Preferably said sealing gland is of elastically resilient and chemicallyinert material (for example silicone).

Preferably said lower end has a thickened band towards its lowerportion.

Preferably said thickened band reinforces said lower end to preventtearing of the gland material.

Additionally said thickened band provides a reference for locating saidtensile band.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in a seal in situformed between a first elongate member and a second elongate member by aperipheral sealing gland, said peripheral sealing gland comprising orincluding,

a hollow conical or pyramidal upper section,

a hollow tubular lower section, extending from the base of said uppersection, the free end of said lower section including a lower aperture,

in use, said upper part having or able to have an upper aperture, saidfirst elongate member in use passing through said upper aperture, theperiphery of said upper aperture forming an upper seal which deformsabout, and seals to, the outer surface of said first elongate member,and

one end of said second elongate member in use passing into said loweraperture, at least part of said lower section deforming about andsealing to the outer surface of said second elongate member.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in a peripheralsealing gland to seal any gap between a substantially flat surface andan elongate member, said peripheral sealing gland comprising orincluding,

an at least in part frustoconical shaped skirt able to define orincluding an aperture formed towards its uppermost point to define anupper seal to be located about the periphery of said elongate member,and

a flange depending from the lowermost periphery of said at least in partfrustoconical shaped skirt, the lower most surface of said flange havingat least one endless lip to seal (“endless lip seal”), when brought intocontact, against said substantially flat surface,

a resealable split extending from said uppermost point to an externaledge of said flange, such that said peripheral sealing gland can beopened and located about said elongate member and against saidsubstantially flat surface and thereafter said resealable split can besealed by a combination of

a split compression ring able to bear on said flange by fasteners toengage with said substantially flat surface and able to seal at leastthat part of said resealable opening on said flange, and

a compression clamp able to apply sealing pressure either side of theremainder of said resealable split by continuous contact on both sidesof said resealable split.

Preferably said compression clamp has two parallel rails able to locateeither side of said resealable split to apply said pressure to seal saidsplit.

Preferably said split is flanked by mating surfaces of said skirt.

Preferably the mating surfaces of said upstands are complimentary.

Preferably said continuous upstand has an external surface opposed tosaid mating surface.

Preferably said external surface of each said continuous upstand has anundercut (“said undercuts”) to receive said parallel rails.

Preferably said resealable split “on” or “of” said skirt can receivesaid compression clamp if necessary to provide additional sealingpressure.

Preferably said compression clamp is located into place by sliding alongsaid resealable split from one end.

Preferably said compression clamp is slid along from said uppermostpoint.

Alternatively said compression clamp is clipped down over saidresealable split to locate with said undercuts.

Preferably said compression clamp is then deformed inwards to apply saidpressure to seal said resealable split.

Preferably said inward deformation is via a tool applied to either saidconnection portions or said parallel rails.

Preferably said compression clamp is also deformable to contour to theshape of said peripheral sealing gland.

Preferably said mating surfaces on each of said continuous upstandspresent a complimentary mating surface to each other to form the seal,when under pressure, of said resealable opening.

Preferably said complimentary mating surface is a planar surface.

Alternatively said complimentary mating surface is a labyrinth sealingsurface.

Preferably said labyrinth sealing surface consists of at least onesealing lip on at least one of said complimentary mating surfaces.

Preferably there is a complimentary seal recess to receive said at leastone sealing rib on the opposing said complimentary mating surface.

Preferably said compression clamp has connection portions that arc fromone of said two parallel rails to the other.

Preferably said peripheral sealing gland has a preformed said upperseal. Alternatively said upper seal is formed by cutting part of saidupper most point away.

Preferably said elongate member is at 90 degrees to said substantiallyflat surface.

Alternatively said elongate member may be at any angle to saidsubstantially flat surface.

Preferably said upper most point is marked circumferentially to indicateapertures to suit various elongate members.

Preferably said compression ring includes a first plurality of aperturesfor receiving said fasteners.

Preferably said seal formed is water and particulate impervious.

Preferably said flange has a second plurality of apertures at least someof which are co-axial with said first plurality.

Preferably there is a plurality of said at least one endless lip sealeach concentric to each other.

Preferably there are four said endless lip seals.

Preferably said second plurality of apertures do not pass through saidendless lip seals.

Preferably said second plurality of apertures lie between two concentricendless lip seals.

Preferably said compression ring is sufficiently rigid so as to notdeform under the pressure exerted by said fasteners to press saidendless lips against said surface.

Preferably said upper seal and said flange are of elastic resilientmaterial.

Preferably said peripheral sealing gland is made from a fire retardantmaterial.

Preferably said peripheral sealing gland is made from a thermallyresistant material.

Preferably said peripheral sealing gland is made from a highly flexiblematerial.

Preferably said peripheral sealing gland is made from a chemically inertmaterial (for example silicone).

Preferably said compression ring is made from a stainless steel.

Preferably said compression clamp is made from stainless steel.

Preferably said stainless steel is 316 or higher grade stainless steel.

Preferably said elongate member is circular in cross-section.

Preferably said peripheral sealing gland is circular in cross-section.

Preferably said skirt has, toward and above said flange, a retentionflange to bear on a surface of said compression ring to retain saidcompression ring to said flange.

Preferably said upper seal and flange are of sufficient internaldiameter to seal over any diameter enlargement in said elongate member.

Such diameter enlargement may be affected by welding, union nuts, orsimilar known methods.

Preferably said second plurality of apertures is each of lesser sizethan said fastener to fit there through to aid said sealing.

Preferably the outer most of said plurality of endless lip seals islarger than those at the inside of it.

Preferably said skirt and said flange are of one piece.

In a further aspect still the present invention consists in a method ofproviding a seal between an elongate member and a substantially flatsurface with a sealing gland having an at least in part frustoconicalskirt shaped upper section to provide an upper seal against saidelongate member, and a flange dependant from the lower periphery of saidat least in part frustoconical skirt shaped upper section to sealagainst aid substantially flat surface, comprising or including thesteps of,

i) locating said sealing gland about said existing elongate member via aresealable opening of said sealing gland running from said upper seal tosaid flange, and above or adjacent to said substantially flat surface,

ii) locating a compression ring about said sealing gland on said flangeto seal that part of said resealable opening present on said flange,

iii) locating a compression clamp on the remainder of said resealableopening to be in continuous contact with the outer surfaces of saidresealable opening, and

iv) applying sealing pressure via said continuous contact with saidouter surfaces by said compression clamp to seal said resealableopening,

said compression ring bearing on said flange by fasteners engaging withsaid substantially flat surface.

Preferably said compression clamp slides over said resealable opening.

Alternatively said compression clamp is clipped over said resealableopening.

Preferably said compression clamp is deformed in place to provide saidsealing pressure to seal said resealable opening.

Preferably said compression clamp is deformed inwardly.

Preferably said compression clamp can deform to contour to said skirt.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in a seal in situformed between an elongate member and a substantially flat surface by aperipheral sealing gland, said peripheral sealing gland comprising orincluding,

an at least in part frustoconical shaped skirt able to have or having anaperture formed towards its uppermost point to define an upper sealabout the periphery of said elongate member, and

a flange depending from the lowermost periphery of said at least in partfrustoconical shaped skirt, the lower most surface of said flange havingat least one endless lip to seal (“endless lip seal”), when brought intocontact, against said substantially flat surface,

a resealable split through the thickness of said peripheral sealinggland extending from said uppermost point to the external edge of saidflange, such that said peripheral sealing gland can be opened andlocated about said elongate member and against said substantially flatsurface and thereafter said resealable split can be sealed by acombination of

a split compression ring able to bear on said flange by fasteners toengage with said substantially flat surface and able to seal at leastthat part of said resealable opening on said flange, and

a compression clamp able to apply sealing pressure either side of theremainder of said resealable opening by continuous contact either sideof said resealable opening.

In a further aspect still the present invention consists in acompression clamp for closing retaining and sealing two halves of anelongate opening, said compression clamp comprising or including,

at least two opposing pressure application surfaces, that at least priorto application are parallel, said at least two opposing pressureapplication surfaces presenting each from a pressure application member,

said each pressure application member being joined by a plurality ofconnection members arching between said pressure application members,said compression clamp when located about said elongate opening

applying a continuous sealing pressure along the length of said elongateseal.

In a further aspect still the present invention consists in acompression clamp to close an elongate opening to form an elongate seal,said elongate seal being formed by two opposing seal faces, whether saidopposing seal faces follow a curved or straight line, and whether or notthe faces form a planar or labyrinthine seal, said compression clampcomprising or including,

at least two spaced opposing closure members, said two spaced opposingclosure members joined by a plurality of connection members along theirlength, said plurality of connection members arching from one of said atleast two spaced opposing closure members to the other,

wherein in use said at least two spaced opposing closure members are incontinuous contact with external surfaces either side of said elongateopening to apply pressure to form said elongate seal.

Preferably said two spaced opposing closure members are located inundercuts at least partway down the height of said elongate seal.

Preferably said undercuts are pre-formed in said external surfaces.

Alternatively said undercuts are formed by the said applied pressure bysaid compression clamp.

Preferably said compression clamp slides into place along said elongateopening.

Alternatively said compression clamp is clipped over said elongateopening.

Preferably the lower external surfaces of said connection members arecutaway to present a smooth surface to said gland material should theycontact it.

Preferably said compression clamp is deformed in place to provide saidapplied pressure to seal said elongate opening.

Preferably said compression clamp is deformed inwardly.

Preferably said compression clamp is removable to allow unsealing ofsaid elongate opening.

Preferably said compression clamp is able to deform to follow thecontour of said elongate opening forming said elongate seal.

Preferably said compression clamp is made from stainless steel.

Preferably said elongate opening is the resealable opening of a sealinggland.

Preferably said sealing gland is a sealing gland as herein beforedescribed.

In another aspect the invention consists in a crimpable clamp having two(at least in part and preferably totally) spaced elongate membersinterconnected by bridging, wherein the bridging allows (without totalmemory or any memory of the crimp) crimping of the bridging to bring allor part of this spaced elongate members together.

Preferably the material of the bridging is such that the bridgingassumes a stable fixed condition after having sprung back not at all oronly a little after the insult which has caused the crimp.

Preferably the bridging is a plurality of discrete ridges.

Preferably they do not lead directly from one elongate member to theother i.e. by the shortest distance. Instead, whereas is preferable,said elongate members are straight, preferably each bridge is offsetfrom the plane that includes both said spaced elongate members.

Preferably each bridge projects at a direction more normal than parallelto the direct direction of one elongate member to the other, there beinghowever part of the bridging which where the curved or straight is moreakin to the direct direction from elongate member to elongate member.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in an assemblywhereby two components or two parts of a component are held together bya crimpable cramp as before said having been crimped so as to retain thecomponents or parts together.

In a further aspect the invention consists in a gland, suitable forwhole and/or part encirclement of a member whether a conduit, port orthe like, wherein said gland includes a separation of part thereof, saidseparation being able to be held together or at least almost together,there being outstands from each portion, part or the like which allowsone to be clamped one to the other.

Preferably said outstands are adapted for being clamped by a crimpableclamp as before said.

Preferably said gland includes an annular flange, a sleeve and a zonebetween said sleeve and said annular flange, there being a splitting ofa radial or near radial splitting of the annular flange and also of thezone therefrom approaching or to said sleeve, and wherein said zoneincludes outstands adapted to be held one to the other to hold theseparation closed or substantially closed over at least said zone orpart thereof.

Preferably said zone is at least to some extend substantiallyfrustoconical or a progression of frustoconical or related curved forms.

Preferably the separation is a separation provided at a moulding stagei.e. it is not a post moulding or machining separation.

Preferably said annular flange is provided with openings so that thesame can be affixed as appropriate using some or all of those openings,thereby preferably also holding that annular flange in a mated or nearmated condition that affects substantial closure or closure.

In still a further aspect the present invention consists in a sealinggland to seal about a substantially elongate member and a substantiallyflat surface that includes an aperture into which the member extends,comprising or including,

a substantially planar sealing body adapted to form, toward the centreof said sealing body, a seal about said elongate member said seal formedat least in part by elastic deformation about said elongate member, andtoward the periphery of said sealing body an at least one endless lipseal adapted seal to, said substantially flat surface, and a firstplurality of holes inward of said periphery, and

a compression ring to bear, on said periphery, on the surface oppositethat against said substantially flat surface, said compression ringhaving a plurality of holes co-axial with those of said first pluralityof holes, said first plurality of holes providing an interference fit toseal against a fastener passed therethrough.

Preferably said sealing body has a retention lip on said surfaceopposite that against said substantially flat surface to retain saidcompression ring to said sealing body.

Preferably said interference fit is created independent of anycompression achieved by said compression ring.

Preferably a plurality of fasteners are used to retain said sealinggland to said substantially flat surface, via said compression ring, andsaid plurality of apertures, said fasteners engaging with saidsubstantially flat surface.

Preferably said sealing body has a plurality of concentric indicationsat or toward the centre of said body to indicate various sealingaperture sizes that can be cut into said sealing body to deform aboutand accommodate different sized elongate members.

Preferably said sealing body has a sealing aperture therethrough at thecentre of said sealing body to seal about said elongate member.

Alternatively said sealing body has no said sealing aperture at thecentre there through and a user will cut the sealing aperture asrequired for the said elongate member.

Preferably said concentric indications and said sealing aperture arecircular.

Alternatively said concentric indications and said sealing aperture areother than circular to accommodate the cross sectional shape of saidelongate member.

Preferably said sealing body is made from a fire retardant siliconematerial.

Preferably said sealing body is made of a red fire retardant siliconematerial to indicate its presence as a sealing gland.

Preferably there are four said endless lip seals each concentric towardsaid periphery.

Preferably said compression ring is rigid so as to not substantiallydeform under the pressure applied by said fasteners.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in a sealing gland toseal against a substantially flat surface and about a substantiallyelongate member, comprising or including,

an inner sealing body adapted to seal against said substantially flatsurface, and an outer sealing body to mount against said inner sealingbody, both said sealing bodies to seal about said elongate member,

said inner sealing body being substantially planar having a planarperipheral flange (“inner sealing body flange”) with at least one firstendless lip seal at or near its periphery to bear on said substantiallyflat surface, inward of said inner sealing body flange is an innersealing portion,

said outer sealing body having a substantially frustoconical innersealing portion and a peripheral flange (“outer sealing body flange”) onits base thereabouts, the under side of said outer sealing body flangehaving at least one second endless lip seal to bear against said innersealing body,

a compression ring to bear against the top side of said outer bodyperipheral flange,

a plurality of apertures passing through said compression ring and saidinner and outer body sealing flanges, adapted to receive fastenerstherethrough, said plurality of apertures providing an interference fitabout said fasteners to seal thereto,

said inner sealing portions adapted to elastically deform about saidelongate member to seal thereto,

said compression ring able to bear on said top side by tightening ofsaid fasteners to said substantially flat surface, to seal said outerbody sealing flange via deformation of said at least one second endlesslip seal to said inner body sealing flange, and said inner body sealingflange to said substantially flat surface via deformation of said atleast one first endless lip seal.

Preferably said outer sealing body has a retention lip on said top sidesurface to retain said compression ring to said outer body.

Preferably said interference fit is caused independent of anycompression achieved by compression of each said sealing body bycompression ring.

Preferably each said sealing body has a plurality of concentricindications at or toward the centre of each said sealing body toindicate various sealing aperture sizes that can be cut into saidsealing body to deform about, seal to and accommodate different sizedelongate members.

Preferably each said sealing gland has a sealing aperture therethroughat the centre of each said sealing body to seal about said elongatemember.

Alternatively each said sealing body has no said sealing aperture at thecentre there through and a user will cut the sealing aperture asrequired for the said elongate member.

Preferably said concentric indications and said sealing aperture arecircular. Alternatively said concentric indications and said sealingaperture are other than circular to accommodate the cross sectionalshape of said elongate member.

Preferably each said sealing body is made from a fire retardant siliconematerial.

Preferably said inner sealing body is made of a red fire retardantsilicone material to indicate it has been applied.

Preferably there are four said endless lip seals each concentric towardthe outer perimeter.

Preferably said compression ring is substantially rigid to not deformunder the pressure applied by the fasteners to attach and seal saidsealing gland to said substantially planar surface.

Preferably the arrangement is substantially as herein described withreference to any one of the accompanying drawings.

The invention also consists in, in combination, a gland as before saidand a crimpable clamp as before said.

The term ‘comprising’ as used in this specification means ‘consisting atleast in part of’, that is to say when interpreting statements in thisspecification which include that term, the features, prefaced by thatterm in each statement, all need to be present but other features canalso be present.

The term “gland” as used herein includes the meaning of a member to sealbetween two surfaces, typically where one intrudes into, or near anothersurface or one member passes through another member or surface.

The term “continuous” here is meant in the normal meaning of continuousover time and also includes continuous over a length.

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changesin construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of theinvention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope ofthe invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and thedescriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to bein any sense limiting.

The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructionsof which the following gives examples.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments to the present invention will now be described inreference to the accompanying drawings, whereby;

FIG. 1 shows in plan a first embodiment of the sealing gland of thepresent invention, prepared for use,

FIG. 2 shows a bottom elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 a shows a side elevation of the sealing gland of FIGS. 1 and 2,

FIG. 3 b shows the sealing gland of the first embodiment before it hasbeen prepared for use, having a full cone on its upper portion,

FIG. 4 shows the sealing gland of the first embodiment of the presentinvention in top perspective view,

FIG. 5 shows the sealing gland of the first embodiment of the presentinvention in bottom perspective view,

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of thesealing gland of the present application in use, sealing to a pipe andalso bearing on a substantially flat surface by means of a compressionring, with the sealing gland located over a union nut of two pipes,

FIG. 7A shows the detail A of FIG. 6 with the lips deformed against thesubstantially flat surface, and FIG. 7B shows the undeformed lips withfastener,

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a sealing gland according to a secondembodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 9 shows a cutaway view of the sealing gland of FIG. 8, inperspective view,

FIG. 10 shows similar view to that of FIG. 8 with the addition oftension band improve sealing a bottle second pipe,

FIG. 11 shows a similar view to that of FIG. 9 with the addition of thetension band of FIG. 10,

FIG. 12 shows the sealing of the gland of the second embodiment to thesecond pipes,

FIG. 13 shows a similar view to FIGS. 9 and 11 with the addition of thetwo elongate members of different diameter shown,

FIG. 14 shows two resealable sealing glands of the prior art showing thediscrete pressure application to the resealable portion in perspectiveview,

FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of the presentinvention showing a resealable opening of the peripheral sealing glandincluding the compression ring and compression clamp,

FIG. 16 shows a resealable peripheral compression gland of the furtherembodiment in isometric view sealed about a elongate member and againsta substantially flat surface,

FIG. 17A shows a perspective compression clamp for the resealableperipheral sealing gland, and FIG. 17B shows in end view a preferredform of compression clamp,

FIG. 18 shows a compression ring for this further embodiment with abreak to allow passage there through of the resealable opening,

FIG. 19A shows a cross section perpendicular to the resealable openingshowing a compression clamp of one form prior to deformation andapplication of sealing pressure, and FIG. 19B shows the same view as Awith the exception that the compression clamp has been deformed to applysealing pressure to the resealable opening, FIG. 19C shows a furtherembodiment of the compression clamp being clipped in place over thecontinuous upstands prior to inward deformation, and FIG. 19D shows thissecond embodiment compression clamp deformed and applying continuouspressure to said resealable split,

FIG. 20 shows in cross section of the seal portion two possiblevariations of a labyrinth seal, A showing a seal surface with lipssimilar to those on the bottom of the flange, and B a labyrinthcomprised of ribs that engage along the length of the seal.

FIG. 21 shows a further embodiment of the present invention in a) planview and b) a cross-sectional view through A-A the particular form beingof a substantially planar disk with an aperture there through,

FIG. 22 shows the embodiment of FIG. 21 in plan isometric,

FIG. 23 shows a similar view to that of FIG. 21 in that a compressionring has been added in plan view a) and a sectional view and b) asectional view along the line of B-B,

FIG. 24 shows a similar view to that of FIG. 22 in that a plan isometricview is shown with the addition of the compression ring, the sealinggland shown sealing a pipe or similar elongate member,

FIG. 25 shows us a similar view to that of FIGS. 21 and 23 with theaddition of a retaining lip for the compression ring shown in plan viewa) and also b) a cross-sectional view along line C-C,

FIG. 26 shows a similar view to that of FIGS. 22 and 24,

FIG. 27 shows a similar view to that of FIG. 25 with the addition of acompression ring being retained by the retaining lip in a) plan view andb) a section view along the line D-D,

FIG. 28 shows a similar view to that of FIG. 26 with the addition of thecompression ring,

FIG. 29 shows a bottom isometric view of the embodiment shown in FIGS.21 through 28,

FIG. 30 shows a further embodiment in plan view of a two part sealinggland,

FIG. 31 shows a cross-sectional view along line E-E of FIG. 30 showingthe two part make up of the sealing gland with a compression ring inplace,

FIG. 32 shows a top isometric view of the two part sealing gland with acompression ring in place,

FIG. 33 shows an isometric sectional view along line E-E of FIG. 30, and

FIG. 34 shows the cross section of FIG. 33 with the inclusion of theflat surface provided by a wall and the elongate member (such as a pipe)and the sealing gland sealing therebetween.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be describedwith reference to FIG. 1 through 34, and

The sealing gland (1) consists of a tapered skirt (5) that issubstantially frustoconical in the preferred embodiment. It should benoted that in alternative embodiments this skirt (5) could bepyramid-shaped, with multiple sides from three upwards. The size of theskirt (5) will depend on the location it is to seal. The sizes willdetermined by the size and presence of any pipe unions present or thesize of the aperture through which the pipe (2) may pass through.

A flange (7) extends outwards from the base or lower periphery of theupper part 5. The upper part 5 (or “skirt”) may be a full cone having anapex (14), as shown in FIG. 3 b, with the cone including markings (13)in rings at different heights around the cone, which indicate at whichpoint a user should cut to create an aperture suitable for a particularsize of elongate member (2). The marking (13) may additionally includeindicia to indicate a particular diameter or size which may occur whencutting at that mark. It should be noted that although in the preferredembodiment these markings are perpendicular to the centre line, orcentre of rotation of the upper part 5, these could be angled to createoval apertures for pipes of oval cross-section, or if an angledconstruction, with the elongate ember angled away from perpendicularwith said surface, is required. It should also be noted that the skirt(5) may be pre-cut to a required size of a particular elongate member(2). The tapered skirt, truncated cone, pyramid or frustoconical skirt(5) thus created has an upper aperture 20 which defines an upperperiphery for sealing against an elongate member.

As described above, the skirt (5) has at its upper portion (19) anopening (20) (which may be provided by the pre-cut sealing gland (1) orwhen cut from the cone configuration as per FIG. 3( b)). The opening(20) provides an upper seal (6) or a surface for an upper seal (6). Theflange (7) will now be described in more detail with reference to theFigures.

The flange (7) has a lower surface 21, the opposite side from the apex14 of the cone 5. In the preferred embodiment, a number of endless lipseals (8) are located on this surface and they are able to form alabyrinth seal. The endless lip seals (8) are of sufficiently thin crosssection so that with the application of a small amount of pressure froma surface or object they are able to deform and seal about or on thatsurface or object. This is best shown in FIG. 7( a) where the endlesslip seals (8) have deformed against an object, in this case asubstantially flat surface (3). By having a number of concentric endlesslip seals (8) a number of sealing points on such a surface or object areformed to further ensure the integrity of such a seal formed.

The flange (7) also has a plurality of flange apertures (12) formedthere through. In use, these receive fasteners (10). In the preferredembodiment these flange apertures (12) are each of a lesser diameterthan the fasteners (10) which they are to receive. This is to furtherensure the integrity of the seal formed, as the preferred material fromwhich the flange (7) is manufactured is a deformable, elastic, andresilient material which is also chemically inert, such as siliconebased compounds, or similar. The flange apertures (12) will thereforestretch to fit around the fasteners (10) and thereafter seal againstthem.

Present also towards the lower portion of the skirt (5) is a retentionflange (16) this presents in one embodiment as an undercut to the skirtor cone (5), or an extension of the skirt (5) and presents approximatelyan aperture of similar thickness to a compression ring (9), as describedbelow. The retention flange (16) is intended to retain the compressionring (9).

This is also a major point of difference between the present inventionand the prior art. The prior art sealing glands that have such a metalouter ring present have this bonded to the flexible material of thegland. This bonding is achieved through a lengthy in mould processrequiring substantial preparation of the metal outer ring, or requirespost working, gluing and curing to attach the metal ring to the gland.

The compression ring (9) is a hollow ring which in use slips over theskirt or cone 5, and is located so that its lower surface rests againstthe upper surface of the flange (7), with the upper surface of the inneredge underneath the lower surface of the retention flange (16), so thatthe retention flange bears upon the upper surface of the compressionring (9). It can be seen that the inner edge or inner part of thecompression ring 9 will be sandwiched between the retention flange 16and the flange 7, with the two surfaces acting in co-operation to retainthe compression ring (9) to the sealing gland (1). Any other form ofretention of the ring is within the scope of the invention.

The compression ring (9) is made of a sufficiently resilient materialsuch that when the sealing gland (1) is applied and fasteners are used,the compression created by the fasteners is able to be resisted by thestiffness of the compression ring so that an even or substantially evenpressure is applied to the flange (7) by the compression ring (9). If ahigher degree of seal is required then a stiffer compression ring (9)may be used so that more force may be exerted onto the flange (7) andtherefore the endless lip seals (8).

This is a further major point of difference between the prior artsealing glands and the present invention. The metal ring, when presenton other sealing glands, is not a resilient stiff ring but rather isflexible to allow conformation of the ring and gland to the surfacebelow. Also prior art sealing glands rely on the addition of sealantafter the gland is in place to affect a complete seal

In the preferred embodiment, the compression ring (9) has a firstplurality of apertures (11) spaced at intervals around its body, whichallow fasteners to pass there through. The apertures (11) are in thepreferred embodiment concentric and able to be co-located with thesecond plurality of apertures (12) in the flange (7).

In applying the sealing gland to an elongate member (2) andsubstantially flat surface (3) to be sealed the following steps areundertaken. The correct opening (20) diameter to form the upper seal (6)is selected and/or cut. The sealing gland is thereafter slid down oralong the elongate member (2) (for example a pipe or similar conduit)until the endless lip seals (8) meet the substantially flat surface (3).The substantially flat surface (3) is only an example and any form ofsealing surface may be appropriate and in some embodiments thecompression ring (9) and/or flange (7) may be formed to conform tovarious surfaces that may not be flat, for example corrugated, curved orsimilar. There may additionally be some form of reinforcing internal ofthe flange (7) which allows confirmation of the flange (7) to therequired surface. This reinforcing or conformable, yet shape retainingmaterial, may be in exclusion or in addition to the compression ring(9). The upper seal (6) deforms and shapes itself around the elongatemember (2) by the elastic tension of the skirt (5) to form a seal. Theopening (20) is therefore generally cut to a slightly smaller diameteror size than that of the elongate member (2) to which it is to seal to.

In some uses the gland may be assembled to the elongate member separateto the compression ring (9). For example the compression ring (9) may beslide of the elongate member (2) before sliding the sealing gland (1)over. The compression ring (9) only being associated with the retentionflange (16) after the gland is located against the substantially flatsurface (3).

In the preferred embodiment, the elongate member (2) (and thus thecorresponding opening (20)) are round and created from a conical upperpart 5. This is useful for example when the sealing gland 1 is used withpipes or similar. However, if a pyramidal upper part 5 is used, theshape of the aperture 20 created may also be rectangular, triangular, aregular or irregular polygon or any other shape that is necessary to besealed to. Correspondingly the pending skirt (5) and flange (7) may beof a corresponding shape to that of the opening or may form a transitionfrom the shape of the opening to for example a substantially circularflange (7).

Once the sealing gland (1) is in place on the elongate member (2) andthe surface (3), fasteners (10) are passed through the apertures 11, 12on the compression ring 9 and the flange 7 respectively. These fastenersthen pass through and engage either into corresponding nuts orcorresponding fastening means in the surface (3) or through the surface(3). Thereafter the fasteners (10) are tightened such that the endlesslip seals (8) deform against the surface (3) to form a seal.Additionally if higher compression pressures are required to form theseal further plurality of apertures may be added to both the compressionring (9) and flange (7) so that further force can be exerted withoutdeformation or substantial deformation of the compression ring (9) byuse of further fasteners (10).

The material selected for forming at least the upper portion (19) of theskirt (5) is sufficiently resilient to pass over or be able to bedeformed over most unions or joins (15) which may be present in theelongate member (2). For example such union or joins (15) may beaffected by welding in which case minimal deformation is required topass over the weld, but conversely the join may be affected by a set ofunion nuts as shown in FIG. 6 and rather than disassembling the wholeelongate member (2) structure the sealing gland (1) can by stretchedover the past for its final resting point.

The advantage conveyed by this invention is that a seal can be affectedsimply, quickly, and repetitively over an elongate member (2) and joinsthereof and surface which the elongate member may penetrate. The seal isaffected with no sealant required and relies upon the elastic propertiesof the materials used to form this sealing gland (1).

The same materials that are used to form the upper portion (19) of thesealing gland (1) may also be used to form the endless lip seals (8).

In the preferred embodiment the endless lip seals (8), flange (7), andskirt (5) are of unitary, or one piece construction. Such unitaryconstruction is preferably made by moulding or similar in the resilientmaterial, for example silicone as mentioned. The sealing gland (1)therefore in the preferred embodiment is a two piece construction beingthe silicone moulded component and metallic component of the compressionring (9). As stated the compression ring (9) is preferably manufacturedfrom a stainless steel and in conjunction with the inert nature of thesilicone provides a chemically resistant seal about the elongate member(2) on the surface (3).

The above-described embodiment is useful for creating a seal between asurface and a elongate member. In some situations it may be desirable tocreate a seal between two elongate members of different diameters. Thesecond embodiment gland is particularly intended for sealing of a firstpipe 105 to a second pipe 106, that the first pipe 105 runs through, forexample the second pipe 106 may be a kick pipe in a floor (or a wall)and provides protection of the first pipe 105 from knocking or damage,and provides also an aperture for the first pipe 105 to communicatethrough the floor or wall.

A second, alternative embodiment of the invention that can be used tocreate this type of seal, shall now be described with reference to FIGS.8 and 13.

A sealing gland 100 is shown, in a similar fashion to the sealing glandof the first embodiment described above, this has a tapered skirt orconical upper part 101. Again, it should be noted that this upper partcould be pyramid-shaped, with multiple sides from 3 upwards, toencompass elongate members which do not have circular cross-sections.Alternatively it may be circular in cross section but have anon-circular aperture formed therein.

As in the embodiment described above, the upper part 101 is marked atintervals along its height or length with cut marks 102. As describedabove, these can also be marked to show the suitable point at which auser should cut so that the sealing gland 100 can be used with a firstpipe or elongate member 105 of certain diameter.

The lower section 103 of the sealing gland 100 extends from the base ofthe upper part 101. In the preferred embodiment, the lower section 103is a hollow cylindrical shape, with an open lower end 104. However inother embodiments this tubular section may be a square tube or othermultisided poly in cross section, whether regular or not.

As in the preferred embodiment described above, the sealing gland 100 ismade from a silicone material, or similar.

In use, the upper part 101 is cut to create an upper aperture, in asimilar fashion to that already described for the first embodiment. Afirst pipe 105, or first elongate member can be passed into the sealinggland, with the perimeter of the upper aperture deforming around theouter surface of the first pipe 105 to form a seal.

A second pipe 106 or elongate member is introduced into the loweraperture or open lower end 104, with at least the end of the lower partdeforming around the outer surface of the first elongate member to forma seal.

It can or course be seen that the second elongate member 106 is ofgreater diameter than the first elongate member 105.

If required, the inner surface 107 of the lower portion 103 can befitted with one or more endless lip seals 108 running in an unbrokenloop around the inner surface of the lower portion 103. These aid insealing between the inner surface of the lower portion 103 and the outersurface of the second elongate member. These may also be present in theupper part 101 to seal to the first pipe 105. The diameters of theportions where the elongate member pass though are slightly smaller thanthe actual diameters of the elongate members that are two pass therethrough. This is so that the natural elasticity of the material of thegland can stretch and form a seal onto the elongate member. In onepreferred embodiment a tensile band 109 is used at least on the outersurface of the lower section to constrict the lower section at thesecond pipe 106. This helps improve the seal. The lower portion of thelower end 104 has a thickened band 111. This thickened band serves twopurposes. Firstly it reinforces the lower portion 104 and stops tearing,particularly so when tools may be used to apply the sealing gland.Secondly the thickened band 111 serves as a reference to locate thetensile band 109 and prevent it working or falling off.

Here may be a similar extension of the upper part as a sleeve which canhave a similar tensile band if need be included. Such bands are known inthe art.

It should be noted that where references to an orientation have beenmade above (e.g. upper, lower, base, horizontal etc), these referencesare relative, and are made for the sake of convenience only. They referto the gland oriented with the cone or skirt 5 facing upwards, and thesealing flange located at the lowest part or base of the sealing gland.The device of the invention can of course be utilised in any orientationdesirable to a user.

A third embodiment of the present invention will now be described withreference to FIGS. 14 through 20.

The prior art resealable sealing glands shown in FIG. 14 have adiscontinuous pressure applied across the resealable opening thereof.This results in an incomplete seal along the length of the opening andthus the seal will allow migration or entrance of water and particulatematerials. This is undesirable and is what the present invention strivesto overcome. Furthermore the present invention is made from a siliconebase material as a requirement for conformability and to meet certainspecifications whether for food handling or otherwise. The nature of asilicone based material is that it tears very easily. The use of adiscontinuous crimping member of the prior art that has sharp edges willresult in a tear and therefore failure of the sealing gland when made insilicone. This is particularly the case when the silicone material isunder tension as is likely to occur with a resealable gland.

In this section where similar integers are used two integers previouslydescribed in this specification then they are taken to be the sameintegers.

The sealing gland 1 in a similar fashion to the first embodiment sealinggland has an upper seal 6 at or towards its upper portion 19. Though notdesirable yet possible the upper seal 6 may be formed by removal of acone portion as earlier described. Additionally there again are marks 13to indicate where the skirt 5 can be cut to suit elongate members ofvarying sizes.

The body of the sealing gland 1 consists of an at least in partsubstantially frustoconical skirt 5. From the lower portion 18 of theskirt depends a flange 7. The sealing gland 1 has a resealable spilt orelongate opening 30. The resealable split runs from the upper portion 19or upper seal 6 to the external edge or surface 35 of the flange 7. Thisallows the sealing gland 1 to be opened and applied around and in situelongate member 2, for example a pipe and thereafter sealed down asdescribed below to form a seal between the elongate member 2 andsubstantially flat surface 3.

Along each side or edge of the resealable split 30 there are continuousupstands 29. The continuous upstands run the entire length of theresealable split or elongate opening 30. The inner upstand surfaces 28mate upon sealing of the resealable split 30 to form a complimentarysealing surface 39 (also referred to as apposing seal faces). Thecomplimentary sealing surface 39 may be a straight line or planar incross section but alternatively may be labyrinthine as required. Theresealable split or elongate opening 30 also may be a straight line asdepicted in FIGS. 15 and 16 but alternatively may follow a curve, line,a seal line 45 or any other shape as required, and is not necessarily anear radial line as depicted.

On the external surfaces 32 of the continuous upstands 29 there is eachan undercut 31. This undercut may either be preformed in the externalsurface 32 or may be formed by the compression clamp or crimpable clamp33, and compression ring 9 as described below.

The flange 7 also has a portion of a resealable split 30. This is heldinto place by the compression ring 9 having a split 22. Upon applicationof the sealing the compression ring 9 is opened in a spiral form to passover the elongate member 2. The compression ring 9 is then located tounder engage the retention flange 16 and the edges of the split 22locate into undercuts 31 (either preformed or formed by the compressionring) in the continuous up stands 29. The resilience of the compressionring 9 in the hoop direction 36 is preferably sufficient to form theseal at the upstands 29 in the flange 7. Alternatively fasteners eitherside of the upstands 29 and the flange 7 will provide sufficient forceto create the seal in this portion. If additional sealing force isrequired then a compression clamp 33 (to be described) can be added tothis portion. This can be seen in FIG. 16.

Along the remainder of the resealable split 30 a compression clamp orcrimpable clamp 33 is located. This can either be slid along the lengthof the resealable split 30 and may impart sealing pressure as it isapplied. Alternatively it may be passed over the sealable split 29 in aclipping fashion. If requited the compression clamp 33 can thereafter bedeformed inwards by a deformation tool 38 to provide sufficient oradditional sealing pressure. Such additional pressure may be applied atthe time of installation or at a later date if for any reason the sealproves to not seal 100%.

The compression clamp 33 consists of two substantially parallel tails 37that have on them pressure application surfaces 42. The pressureapplication surfaces 42 are the inner surfaces of the parallel rails 37which will engage with the external surface of each of the undercuts 31.Each of the parallel rails 37 has connection portions 40 running fromone parallel rail 37 to the other parallel rail 37. In the preferredembodiment these connection portions 40 follow the general externalcontour of the two continuous upstands. Therefore they are arched sothat they run out, above and over the continuous up stands 29 of thesealing gland 1 and resealable split 30. In other embodiments theconnection portions 40 may be arched or follow other contours. The clampin the preferred embodiments has the connection portions 40 welded tothe parallel rails 37.

The lower external portion 47 of the connection portion 40 is cut awayso that no sharp surface is presented to the material of the gland. Thiscan be clearly seen in FIG. 19C. In this way the gland is prevented fromtearing and also the clamp can slide smoothly into place.

Although this is the preferred method of attachment other methods knownin the art such as press metal forming, forging can also manufacture thecompression clamp and are considered to be within the scope of theinvention. In use the sealing gland 1 is applied around a elongatemember 2 and located against a substantially flat surface 3. Thecompression rings 9 with its split 22 is then located about the elongatemember 2 and down onto the flange 7. The compression clamp 33 is thenlocated about the remainder resealable split 30 to seal either by itsstatic form or seal by the addition of deformation inwards to seal theresealable split 30. The compression ring 9 and compression clamp 33together provide continuous contact along the length of the resealablesplit 30, either side of the complimentary sealing surface. Due to thetearable nature of the material forming the sealing gland 1 the sealinggland 1 is prevented from tearing particularly as it would otherwise doso when a clamp of discrete nature of the prior art is used.

The open nature of the connection portions 40 allow the compressionclamp to bend either before installation or in use to follow any contourthe continuous upstands 29 and resealable split need to take. Forexample the compression clamp can easily be conformed lines radial ofthe elongate member 2, even if the radial line is curved in side view.

If desired the compression clamp 33 and ring 9 can be removed to allowremoval and reapplication of the sealing gland 1. The compression clamp33 can either be slid off, or the connection members 40 can be cut and anew compression clamp 33 applied upon resealing.

Shown in FIG. 20 are two possible forms of labyrinth seal. A seal lip 48form is shown in FIG. 20A. This is essentially a seal lip 48 similar incross section to the lip seal 8 on the underside of the flange 7. Thisform of labyrinth seal relies upon deformation of at least one seat lip48 against and into the opposing complimentary mating surface 39. In thepreferred form there are number of lip seals 48 present on one, other orboth opposing complimentary mating surfaces 39.

Another form of labyrinth seal is shown in FIG. 20B. This form reliesupon at least one extending seal lip 48 of a rib form on one opposingcomplimentary mating surface 39 and at least one complimentary sealrecess 49 on the other opposing complimentary mating surface 39. In thepreferred embodiment there are at least two of each.

Other forms of labyrinth may be used that are known in the art and areconsidered to be immaterial variants of those examples shown.

A further embodiment of the present invention will now be described withreference to FIGS. 22 through 29. The sealing gland (60) consists of asealing body (63) and a compression ring (68). The sealing body (63) isa substantially planar disc shaped member. On the underside of theplanar sealing body (63) is at least one endless lip seal (65) (bestshown in FIG. 29). In the preferred embodiment there are four suchendless lip seals (65), concentrically arranged. At or near theperiphery (67) of the planar sealing body (63) is a first plurality ofholes (66). In the preferred embodiment these are equally spaced aroundthe periphery (67) of the planar sealing body. The plurality of holes(66) have diameter(s) such that when a fastener is passed there throughan interference fit will be created. In the preferred embodiment thisinterference fit (i.e. a seal being created between the hole and thefastener (71)) may be formed either by the size of the apertures beingslightly less that of the fastener put there through or may be formedonce the gland is assembled and compressed by the compression ring (68).The compression of the material of the gland (60) between thesubstantially flat surface and the compression ring (68) causing bulgingor swelling of the material to seal about the fastener (71). Thecompression ring (68) can either simply fit on the top side of thesealing gland (60) (FIG. 23 b) or alternatively may be retained there bya retention lip (73). The retention lip (73) rises up from the body ofthe planar sealing body (63) to overlap at least in part the compressionring (68). The apertures of the compression ring (68) and the aperturesof the planar sealing body (63) at least in some parts line up so thatfasteners can be located there through to engage with the substantiallyflat surface underneath.

In assembling this embodiment the sealing gland (60) is passed over theelongate member (61) and brought to bear with the endless lip seals (65)against the substantially flat surface (62). Fasteners are then locatedthrough the apertures to the substantially flat surface (62) andtightened to sufficiently compress the material of the planar sealingbody (63) under the compression ring (68) and also the endless lipmembers (65) to seal against the substantially flat surface. The sealingaperture (74) is either pre-cut into the supplied unit before its use ormay be cut by a user immediately prior to installation or as requiredfor the uses of the sealing gland (60). To aid this cutting by the user(or indeed manufacture prior to supply to the user) a series ofconcentric indications (75) are on the inner portion of the planarsealing body (63). These may either be rises, detents or simply printedthereon. In the shown embodiment they are circular as is the planarsealing body. However in other embodiments the planar sealing body andtherefore the sealing gland may have an overall plan shape that is notcircular (e.g. a polygon of three or more sides) and or the sealingaperture (74) may be other than circular depending upon the shape of theelongate member to be sealed to. Therefore the concentric indications(75) may also be of this shape other than circular (e.g. triangular,square or rectangular).

When the sealing gland (60) is applied over the elongate member thesides of the sealing aperture (74) are slightly less in size than theoverall size of the elongate member. This results in elastic deformationof the periphery of the sealing aperture (74) and forms a seal about theelongate member. This has been earlier described in the otherembodiments. In other methods of installation the sealing gland (60) maybe mounted to the substantially flat surface (62) and then the elongatemember (63) is passed though the appropriate formed sealing aperture(74).

The material of this embodiment is similar to that of the previousembodiments in that it is a thermally resistant, or chemicallyresistant, or fire retardant, (or all of these) material, for example ahigh grade silicone. The material must also possess an inherent elasticnature to allow the deformation of the endless lips seals (65) and alsothe elastic deformation about the elongate member in the sealingaperture (74).

A further embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 31through 33. In its most simplest form this embodiment combines thesealing gland of the previous embodiment shown in FIGS. 21 through 29and the sealing gland shown as the first embodiment in FIGS. 1 through9. This composite construction serves a primary purpose. In the event ofan extreme fire event one or other of the sealing glands, i.e. the innersealing body (76) and the outer sealing body (77), may become extremelycharred and therefore become brittle. When fire suppression measures,for example foam, water, or similar are used these may impinge on thecharred sealing body. Due to the brittle nature of the charred sealingbody it may fall away. If only one of these sealing bodies were presentthen in effect the sealing of the elongate member to the flat surfacewould fail. By having the presence of the second sealing body then thisis left largely unscathed by the fire event and can therefore stilleffect the sealing of the elongate member to the substantially flatsurface.

The outer sealing body (77) as earlier described has a tapered skirt orfrustoconical inner sealing portion (80) which is then surrounded by anouter sealing body flange (81). As earlier described the axial crosssection of the tapered skirt (80), sealing aperture or flange (81) planmay be other than circular and may be any multisided polygon in shape,whether regular or otherwise. In some embodiments it is envisaged that amixture of cross sections may be present, e.g. circular base flange(81), square tapered skirt (80), and rectangular sealing aperture (74).

The outer sealing body flange (81) runs all the way around the taperedskirt or frustoconical inner sealing portion (80). In the preferredembodiment the outer sealing body (77) is a unitary body made from thesame or similar material mentioned above with the same or similarproperties. For example it may be made from a high grade silicone.

Present also is a compression ring (68) which bears on the top side (83)of the outer sealing body flange (81). Located “underneath” the outersealing body (77) is the inner sealing body (76). This is largely thesame as the planar sealing body (63) embodiment described in referenceto FIGS. 22 through 29. However the inner sealing body (76) in thepreferred embodiment here does not have a retention lip (73) present.Both the inner sealing body (76) and the outer sealing body (77) have anumber of endless lip seals (65) depending from their under surfacesabout the flange. The compression ring (68), outer sealing body flange(81) and inner sealing body flange have matched or co-axial aperturesrunning there through for the receiving of the fasteners (71).

As can be seen at least in FIG. 33 the inner sealing body (76) peripheryshows outside the outer sealing body (77). In the preferred embodimentthe periphery of the inner sealing body (76) and in the most preferredembodiment the entire inner sealing body is of a different colouredmaterial to that of the outer sealing body (77). In the preferredembodiment this colour is red. The material itself is identical it isthe visual indication or colour that is different. The reason for thisis that a user can immediately tell whether or not an inner sealing bodyand therefore a sealing gland (87) of this embodiment, has beeninstalled that has the necessary fire retardant properties by virtue ofthe fact of having the composite sealing gland (87).

In use the sealing gland (87) is located about an elongate member (61)either separately or as a unit and is slid down to lie against the flatsurface (62). If necessary prior to this assembly the sealing aperture(74) is cut to size. This can be aided by the presence of concentricindications (75) on each of the inner sealing bodies (76) and outersealing body (77). As earlier described the outer sealing body (77)sealing aperture (74) may be created by the cutting of line through apeaked or coned version of the outer sealing body (77). Once the correctsize is chosen the sealing gland (87) (either separately or together) isslid down over the elongate member (61). Thereafter fasteners (71) arepassed through the apertures to engage with the flat surface. Tension isthen applied via the fasteners to the compression plate (68) itself.This will in turn compress the endless lip seals (65) of each of theinner sealing body (76) and outer sealing body (77). This will affectthe seal between the outer sealing body and inner sealing body, and theinner sealing body and the flat surface. In alternative methods thesealing gland (87) is applied first and thereafter the elongate memberis passed through the sealing apertures (74) of the sealing gland (87).

The seal about the elongate member is achieved in similar ways earlierdescribed in that it is elastic deformation of the sealing body form theseal about the elongate member. This perhaps is best shown in FIG. 31immediately prior to applying of compression by the fasteners (71) todeform the endless lip seals (65) to affect the seal.

The foregoing description of the invention includes preferred formsthereof. Modifications may be made thereto without departing from thescope of the invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A peripheral sealing gland to form a seal,between an elongate member and a substantially flat surface having anaperture into which said elongate member extends, said peripheralsealing gland comprising; an at least in part frustoconical shaped skirtthrough which said elongate member is to pass and defining at an upperperiphery of the skirt, a deformable upper seal configured to deformabout and form a first seal to a periphery of said elongate member, aflange having an outer surface and an inner surface and a radially outeredge, the flange depending from a lower periphery of said skirt, and theflange including two or more concentrically arranged endless lip sealsextending from the inner surface, and having a plurality of flangeapertures disposed entirely between consecutive ones of said lip seals;said skirt and said flange being integrally formed; a substantiallyrigid ring having a plurality of ring apertures, said ring aperturescorresponding to, and co-locatable with, at least some of said flangeapertures, said rigid ring able to bear on said outer surface of saidflange without substantial deformation, so as to apply a substantiallyconsistent pressure to said endless lip seals to form a second sealagainst said flat surface when said rigid ring is fastened to saidsubstantially flat surface by fasteners to capture the flangetherebetween; said skirt having, toward said flange, a retention flangeforming a circumferential pocket to removably receive said rigid ringand to permit adjustment of said rigid ring relative to said flange toco-locate said flange apertures with said ring apertures; wherein adiameter of said flange apertures is smaller than a diameter of saidring apertures, so that said flange is configured to form, at saidflange apertures, a third seal against said fasteners.
 2. The peripheralsealing gland as claimed in claim 1 wherein the number of said flangeapertures and ring apertures to receive said fasteners is dependent onthe pressure required to provide, via said fasteners, said substantiallyconsistent pressure to said endless lip seals to form said second sealagainst said substantially flat surface.
 3. The peripheral sealing glandas claimed in claim 1 wherein said upper seal and said flange are ofelastic resilient material and preferably chemically inert material. 4.The peripheral sealing gland as claimed in claim 1 wherein said rigidring is made from a stainless steel.
 5. The sealing gland as claimed inclaim 1 wherein an upper section of said skirt includes indicia forguiding a cutting of said upper section to provide a guide for cuttingthe size of said deformable upper seal.
 6. The sealing gland as claimedin claim 1 wherein said third seal is created independent of anycompression achieved by said rigid ring.
 7. The sealing gland as claimedin claim 1 wherein the endless lip seals are all disposed to flex in aradially outward direction so that any leakage encounters a path ofleast resistance in the radially outward direction and away from theelongate member.
 8. The peripheral sealing gland as claimed in claim 1,wherein said frustoconical skirt includes a continuous planar surfacefrom said upper periphery to said lower periphery of said skirt.
 9. Thesealing gland as claimed in claim 1 wherein said retention flangecomprises an angled edge to bear on and overlap onto said rigid ring toprovide a full contact seal between the skirt and the rigid ring tominimize collection of contaminants between the rigid ring and theskirt.
 10. The sealing gland as claimed in claim 9 wherein thecircumferential pocket presents an aperture of substantially similarthickness to said rigid ring.
 11. The sealing gland as claimed in claim1 wherein said flange comprises a silicone material.
 12. The sealinggland as claimed in claim 1 wherein said two or more concentricallyarranged endless lip seals comprise four endless lip seals.